Teacher Impact

I recall the impact of one of our teachers. I was the least mathematically gifted in the class.

I struggled to apply theorems and to work through those "one problem .. two pages long" quizzes she would give us. One day we took a test that used a theorem no one understood completely, not even the brightest. She graded the papers on one's ability to progress through the problem so everyone got a "C" that day ... except for me.

I absolutely was lost. I decided to work through the problem using previous theorems I somewhat understood, combining concepts. I had 'flunked' for sure because I didn't do what was asked. As the papers were handed back the next day, to my surprise I received an "A". She showed the class what I had done by copying it on the blackboard. She said that this is something she would write down in her text book for future reference.

That day she could have given me an "F" and I wouldn't have even remembered it now. Instead she used the opportunity to take a student who typically struggled and change his life. She understood that teaching went beyond textbooks and chalkboards.

Several years ago I stopped in Bluffton to visit her and relate the story of that day. She didn't remember me (but of course she remembered Barb Bowyer, lol). It was a treasured conversation and I am glad I had the opportunity to thank her.

Mrs Davies, a teacher in the best sense of the word.